While I was at university, juggling my studies and a part-time job, money was always tight. Still, back then I found myself quite content with life. There werent any real troubles weighing on me. My wife, Emily, and I were renting a cosy little flat and hadnt considered starting a family yet. We both agreed that we wanted to buy our own house first, and only then would we think about having children. My parents are both retired, and I have a younger sister, Charlotte. Charlottes divorced and has my nephew, Oliver, whos already in Year 1 at school. Weve never exactly been flush with cash in our family, but somehow weve always managed to get by.
I thought those were good times at least thats how it felt at the start. Everything seemed to be on the up. Id just graduated, then managed to get promoted at work. I became the main assistant to our boss, and the difference in pay was significant. With this new boost to our finances, Emily and I decided right away to take out a mortgage and finally move into our own flat. Then, as if all the big life changes were happening at once, Emily told me a month later that she was pregnant. We started preparing for the arrival of the baby. When news of my promotion spread through the family, everyone seemed genuinely happy for us.
But soon enough, the pressure began. My parents suddenly started reminding me that I should be helping Charlotte and little Oliver out. And Charlotte, for her part, insisted that as her older brother, I ought to support our parents financially, too. My money began to disappear fast. If it wasnt Mum and Dad needing a new, larger television, it was Oliver with another expensive school trip coming up. Meanwhile, Emily started resenting me because she was now on maternity leave, and there just wasnt enough to cover everything for our growing family, especially as it seemed like my entire salary was stretched thin supporting half the family tree. I know I have to set some boundaries with my relatives; they dont realise theyre leaving me with nothing, and I need to save and prepare for our own babys arrival. Childrens clothes cost a fortune these days…
